NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

Cosmos 1603

Launch Time
Fri Sep 28, 1984 14:00 UTC

Rocket

Proton K/Block-DM-2
RVSN USSR
Status: Retired
Liftoff Thrust: 9,548 kN
Payload to LEO: 19,000 kg
Payload to GTO: 2,400 kg
Stages: 4
Strap-ons: 0
Rocket Height: 57.64 m
Fairing Diameter: 4.35 m
Fairing Height: 10.4 m

Mission Details

Cosmos 1603

The Tselina-2 (11F644) series of ELINT satellites were replacements for the first generation system. Based on the first generation Tselina-D ELINT, TSNII-KS at the beginning of the 1970's developed the specifications for an improved model with increased frequency range and on-board method of determining the position of fixed transmitters. The original Tselina-2 design was authorised in March 1973 and handled by prime contractor TsNIRTI Minradioprom for the ELINT equipment and KB Yuzhnoye for the spacecraft bus.

The new specification for a universal Army-Navy system called for a satellite with increased mass and lifetime. This would be launched by the Zenit-2 booster, replacing the separate earlier-generation systems. Data transmission was directly to ground stations via geosynchronous communications satellites.

Delays in development of the Zenit-2 launch vehicle resulted in launching the first two trials flights by Proton-K Blok-DM-2 booster in 1984 and 1985.

Tselina-2 is 3-axis stabilized with addition of a gravity gardient boom, basicly an enlarged version of the Tselina-D bus.

Payloads: 1
Total Mass: 3,200.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

Site 200/39, Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Stats

1984

106th orbital launch attempt

Proton-K

120th mission
11th mission of 1984
99th successful mission
23rd consecutive successful mission